HC Deb 30 April 1982 vol 22 cc383-4W
Mr. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States bases there are in the United Kingdom; and if he will list them in the Official Report.

Mr. Wiggin

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 18 June 1980—[Vol. 986, c.587–8]—7 July 1980—[Vol. 988, c. 54–5]—8 August 1980—[Vol. 991, c. 481]—11 November 1980—[Vol. 992, c. 153]—and the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North—East (Mrs. Short) on 2 December 1980—[Vol. 995, c. 155]. To the facilities listed should be added the following which have been transferred to the United States since December 1980: RAF Little Rissington, which will be a peace-time storage and war-time hospital facility; and RAF Cranwell and RAE Bedford, which will be collocated operating bases in war-time.

Mr. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United States Government make any payments to the Government in respect of each United States base on British territory; and, if so, if he will describe the form this payment takes in each case.

Mr. Wiggin

It is not the practice to disclose the financial details of the confidential basing agreements we have with our allies.

Mr. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much money North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries. other than the United States of America, pay for facilities at (a) British and (b) United States operated bases in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Wiggin

It is not our practice to release detailed financial information concerning bilateral arrangements with our allies. I have no record of the use of facilities at United States operated bases in the United Kingdom by other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries.

Mr. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the treaties, statutory provisions or agreements under which the United States of America maintains bases on United Kingdom territory.

Mr. Wiggin

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 10 December 1980—[Vol. 995, c. 680]—in respect of United States forces based in the United Kingdom. Arrangements regarding United States bases in United Kingdom territories overseas are contained in the 1941 agreement on Bermuda, Cmnd. 6259; the 1956 agreement on Ascension Island, Cmnd. 9810; and the 1966 and 1976 exchange of notes on Diego Garcia, Cmnds. 3231 and 6413 respectively.